Financial Aid Problem/Negotiation!

<p>Hi
my estimated efc for cornell is about 35k, and cornell is "meeting" that price, but 7.5k of it is in subsidized loans</p>

<p>1) how are loans in any way meeting your need, especially when you may have to take out further loans on top of the efc cost?</p>

<p>2) why is cornell's fa so bad? rice and vanderbilt are giving me more fa, but i want to go to cornell
how do i negotiate with the fa office to get a reasonable price (my efc of 35k is something i can afford, i cant afford 42.5k)</p>

<p>Thanks for the help!</p>

<p>Each college has its own way of calculating need. They can have different required student contributions, they can use loans and self help differently, they can view the financial picture differently. You can find out who your admissions officer was at Cornell, call and thank the person for accepting you and explain the situation to him/her and ask for the best way to approach this with financial aid. You let the person know that you have gotten pakcages from V and R that give more, but you so much want to go to Cornell, and wonder if your package can’t be reexamined. </p>

<p>That’ s giving it a try, but whether it works or not, especially for the differential you want may not be possible. Maybe some accommodation can be made. Good luck.</p>

<p>okay thanks a lot!</p>

<p>vanderbilt is 38k for me, and 5k more w/ national merit
i did realize a potential problem, though, will cornell care that vanderbilt gave more?
after all, vanderbilt is not a clear cut above cornell. In fact, id say most would say cornell is better overall. So would trying to show vanderbilt’s offer still have an impact?</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>A school doesn’t have to be ‘above’ another school for you to show a more generous offer; C, Rice and Vandy are definitely peer schools, look at the USN&WR rankings, 15, 17 & 17, respectively. The merit part of Vandys package is likely to be more problematic.</p>

<p>I’m not sure why you’re finding arguments against asking, you have absolutely nothing to lose.</p>

<p>okay thanks for the reassurance
yeah, im just trying to make sure i do everything is right b/c i know you only have one shot usually w/ the fa office</p>